| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mrs. Nancy Amos | Analyst |
| Ms. Joann Langston | Chairperson | |
| Mr. John N. Slone | Member | |
| Mr. Terry L. Placek | Member |
2. The applicant requests that he be awarded the Purple Heart.
3. The applicant states that he was injured in a mine explosion on or about 7 February 1968. He provides his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, and a copy of a clinical record as supporting evidence.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 16 February 1967. He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 12B (Combat Engineer).
5. The applicant arrived in Vietnam on or about 6 July 1967 and was assigned to Company C, 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. He was reassigned to Company D, 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division on 1 August 1967.
6. The applicant’s Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, item 40 shows he was wounded on 30 January 1968 when he received a laceration chest wound and foreign matter in the eyes. The Clinical Record provided by the applicant (the original is available) shows the applicant was admitted for treatment on 31 January 1968 for bilateral corneal opacity and abrasion from a mine explosion. He was treated with antibiotics and discharged on 7 February 1968. He is listed on the Republic of Vietnam Casualty Roster as being wounded in action, not serious, on 31 January 1968.
7. General Orders 2161, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division dated 2 April 1968 awarded the applicant the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for heroism on 1 January 1968.
8. The applicant departed Vietnam on 29 June 1968 after receiving participation credit for three campaigns. He was released from active duty on 14 February 1969. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960, the Marksman Qualification Badge Rifle M-14, and the Expert Qualification Badge Rifle M-16.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations. In pertinent part, it states that the Purple Heart is awarded to any member of an Armed Force who has been wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States. The wound must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record. The regulation also states that one bronze service star is worn on the appropriate service medal to denote each credited campaign.
10. At the time, Army Regulation 600-200 prescribed policies pertaining to career management of Army enlisted personnel. Chapter 9 provided guidance for the preparation and maintenance of the DA Form 20. In pertinent part, it stated that a brief description of wounds or injuries requiring medical treatment, received through hostile or enemy action, would be entered in item 40.
11. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that Company D, 65th Engineer Battalion was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 1 August 1967 – August 1968 and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation for the period 1 August 1967 – 21 January 1970.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The Board concludes that there is sufficient corroborating evidence of record to show the applicant was wounded in action on 30 January 1968 and admitted for medical treatment of those wounds on 31 January 1968 and therefore he meets the eligibility criteria for award of the Purple Heart.
2. The applicant was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation and is entitled to these awards.
3. There are two administrative errors on the applicant’s DD Form 214 with regard to the Army Commendation Medal and the bronze service stars to be worn on the Vietnam Service Medal. He was assigned to Vietnam during three campaigns and so is authorized to wear three bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism and so is authorized to wear the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device.
4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 30 January 1968.
2. That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to show he is authorized the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, three bronze service stars with the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation.
BOARD VOTE:
__jl____ __jns___ __tlp___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
Joann Langston
______________________
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002068906 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020509 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (GRANT) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0015 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 August 2005 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20050001309 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. The applicant requests correction of his records to show award of the Purple Heart. A DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with the ending period 5 April 1968 shows the...
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This regulation also provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. He was also assigned to the unit when it was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 29 July 1965 through 1 October 1966 by Department of the Army General Order Number 1, dated...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050001309C070206
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ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002068786C070402
There is no evidence of record and the applicant has provided none to show he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in December 1967. That the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 10 May 1979 be amended to add the Purple Heart and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation and to show he is...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003086704C070212
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ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001061564C070421
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal. The applicant’s personnel records contain a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 30 April 2001, which shows the applicant was issued an award of the Purple Heart and the Air Medal. The applicant’s records show that he received a second award of the Bronze Star Medal for...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002072995C070403
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ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003089170C070403
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